Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) in the Basils Database

General Plant Information (Edit)
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun to Partial Shade Partial Shade to Full Shade
Leaves:	Fragrant
Flowers:	Fragrant
Flower Color:	Lavender
Bloom Size:	Under 1"
Flower Time:	Summer Late summer or early fall
Uses:	Culinary Herb Medicinal Herb Dried Flower
Wildlife Attractant:	Bees Butterflies
Propagation: Seeds:	Start indoors Can handle transplanting
Containers:	Suitable in 1 gallon Prefers to be under-potted

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Botanical names

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Comments:

Posted by Gardener2493 on Aug 17, 2021 5:53 PM concerning plant:

We Hindus love this plant and we actually worship it. It is considered sacred in our culture. The odor is fruity and basil-y and the taste is just like basil, but stronger and mint-ier. This plant is a perennial in zones 9 and above but can be grown as a houseplant in temperate regions. I found mine randomly growing in my backyard and I still don't know how it got there. I transplanted it to a pot and it's doing very well there now.

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Posted by scvirginia on Feb 15, 2020 11:22 AM concerning plant:

Holy basil is one of the most pleasantly fragrant plants I've ever encountered. I grew mine from seed I got from Hudson Valley Seed Co., and it's surprisingly hardy here in 8b/9a. I still have plants blooming outside in February despite temperatures dipping down into the 30's several times this winter.

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Plant Events from our members
lovesblooms	On March 6, 2020	Seeds sown winter sow
lovesblooms	On February 24, 2018	Seeds sown winter sown
lovesblooms	On January 28, 2017	Seeds sown w/s
antsinmypants	On June 21, 2023	Seeds sown Flat #3 Row 12
antsinmypants	On April 12, 2021	Seeds sown Indoors under lights
Gardener2493	On August 9, 2021	Transplanted
paleohunter	On March 29, 2024	Seeds germinated
paleohunter	On March 16, 2024	Seeds sown

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Basils Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)